Isaac Fayose Challenges First Lady's Appeal to Afrobeats Stars
Isaac Fayose has publicly disagreed with First Lady Oluremi Tinubu's recent appeal to Nigerian entertainers Davido, Burna Boy, and Asake, urging them to use their wealth for charitable foundations rather than luxury cars. In a viral Instagram post on Sunday, Fayose argued that the First Lady's message should have been directed at state governors, particularly those from the All Progressives Congress (APC), who command far larger public resources.
Speaking at an event in Lokoja, Kogi State on Saturday, Remi Tinubu had cited Senegalese singer Akon as an example, stating that governments cannot fight poverty alone. She called on the Afrobeats stars to channel funds from expensive vehicles into charity. However, Fayose countered that the burden of poverty alleviation should fall on elected officials with access to state budgets.
Fayose Highlights Contradiction in First Lady's Stance
Isaac Fayose recalled a previous instance where the First Lady allegedly encouraged APC governors to purchase exotic jeeps for women leaders in their states. He described this as contradictory to her current plea for entertainers to donate to charity. In his Instagram video, Fayose stated: “I disagree with our First Lady Aunty Remi Tinubu on @davido @burnaboygram @asakemusic to use their hard earned money or the money they are using to buy big cars on charity…. When governors are with their money ??? Why can’t APC state governors take 500 million monthly to support the poor people in their various states ??? Why instruct them to buy jeeps for APC women leaders when people are poor in their various states ??????”
Fayose acknowledged that artistes like Davido and Asake already make meaningful contributions to their communities through personal gestures and charitable acts. He insisted that state governments, with considerably larger budgets and public mandates, should be doing far more. “If you advise APC governors to set aside N500 million every month to support the poor and the needy, they will do it. Davido and Asake have been trying in their own ways. The governors should also contribute their resources to help the people,” he said.
Nigerians React: Public Sides with Fayose
The video sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians supporting Fayose's stance. Commenters expressed frustration at the idea of wealthy public officials looking to private entertainers to fund social welfare. User @shantizworld wrote: “God will never take His wisdom away from you. You knew exactly what was on my mind, that's exactly what I wanted to say. This musician they're talking about, it's not as if they can't do it. But as the First Lady, she's not encouraging them to do it. As the Yoruba would say, 'Eṣin wa ju láwọ sáré.'”
Another commenter, @gudnex_dd, added: “You dey mind our first lady. ? That woman just Dey reason us less aswear Make young pple wey Sweat for their money go give the poor?. Make them do your own work for you with their private money ?” @CFCVibesHQ said: “Lol I said this yesterday una dey abuse me Them dey chop but no want make poor man too enjoy The wife dey act poor in d Public Chop life in private.” @psycho_Tochi concluded: “They rather keep the poor in abject poverty, if the economy works, who them go manipulate.”
Isaac Fayose's Broader Critique of Political Hypocrisy
This is not the first time Isaac Fayose has called out political figures. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that he criticised his elder brother, former Ekiti state governor Ayodele Fayose, over comments about a recent abduction in Oyo state. While Ayodele suggested the incident might have been politically orchestrated and stressed that governors should be held accountable as chief security officers, Isaac accused him of hypocrisy, pointing out that kidnappings also occurred under his watch in Ekiti. In a fiery response, Isaac urged his brother to remain quiet if he had nothing constructive to say, adding that governors often pocket security votes while citizens suffer.
